Lion Air may also fly Pontianak-Kuching or Pontianak-Miri sector

KUCHING: Another Indonesian airline is likely to follow in the footsteps of Xpress Air, flying from Pontianak to Kuching or Miri.

The Indonesian Consul-General in Kuching Jahar Gultom said there were talks of Lion Air interested to expand its operation to Sarawak.

“I have heard it although it is not confirmed yet of Lion Air coming as well.

“We shall wait and see. The more the merrier. If it happens, that will be very good for travelers in Indonesia and Sarawak,” he said after a briefing on the Miri-Pontianak flight at the office of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youths and Sports here yesterday.

Jahar meanwhile lauded the move by Xpress Air to operate the Miri-Pontianak-Pontianak-Miri flight, saying it was good to bring such a flight because it would help the people from both sides to travel either for leisure or businesses.

He said now that Xpress Air would also connect Kuching and Shenzhen in China, it would be easier for the people from Pontianak, Singkawang and Sambas to travel all over the world via Kuching.

Jahar also hoped that Xpress Air could increase the number of its Miri-Pontianak flight by next year.

“Currently, we have about 56,000 workers in Brunei. When they want to go home, they have to travel by bus from Brunei to Pontianak, which takes about 18 hours.

“By having this flight, they can shorten their trip from Brunei back home during Hari Raya and Christmas celebrations,” he said.

With the launch of the new flight from Pontianak, Jahar hoped it would further strengthen bilateral relationship between Pontianak and Sarawak.

“Our president has visited Kuching, and based on that visit, Sarawak is now very much in our national agenda,” he said.